Electrical color selecting device for weaving looms



June 10, 1941'. k, HwAsE ELECTRICAL COLOR SELECTING DEVICE FOR WEAVING LOOMS Filed Dec. 28, 1936 8 Sheets-SheetI l June 10, 1941. K. sHwABE 2,245,445

ELECTRICAL COLOR SELECTING DEVICE FOR WEAVING LOOMS June 10, 1941. K, SCHWABE 2,245,445 ELECTRICAL COLOR SELECTINC DEVICE FOR WEAVING LOOMS Filed Dec. 28, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 10, 1941. K. scHwABE ELECTRICAL COLOR SELEGTING DEVICE FOR WEAVING LOOMS Filed Dec. 28, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 June l0, 1941'.V K. scHwABE ELECTRICAL COLOR SELECTING DEVICE FOR WEAVING LOOMS Filed Deo. 28, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTO JW JM@ June 1 0, 1941. K, SCIHQNABE 2,245,445

ELECTRICAL COLOR SELECTING DEvIpE FOR wEAvING Looms Filed Dec. 28, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 W los lol las Eg. l!

JM IM June 10, 1941. K SCHWABE 2,245,445

ELECTRICAL COLOR SELECTING DEVICE FOR WEAVING LOOMS' Filed Dec. 28, 195e s sheets-:smeet5 7 June i0, 1941 K SCHWABE L 2,245,445

ELECTRICAL COLOR-SELECTING DEVICE FOR WEAVING LOOMS Filed Dec. 28, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Avy Patented June 10, 1941 ELECTRICAL COLOR SELECTIN G DEVICE FOR WEAVING- LOOMS Kurt Schwabe, Betz-Bielsko, Poland v t v Application December 2s, 1936, serial No. 117,998

In Germany February 2, 1935 Y 4 Claims. (Cl. 139-2321) Electrical bobbin feeler or color selecting devices for weaving looms wherein the shuttle or bobbin is automatically exchaznged, are known in which a circuit effecting the exchange of shuttle or bobbin is closed by a weft detector shuttle by the intermediary of circuit closing rails arranged on the shuttle box for closing the circuit.

In these devices the color is often selected mechanically, for instance, by parallel displacement of the cylindrical shuttle exchange box. Such a device may be suitable for looms using shuttles with two different colors but is inappropriate if more colors are used. In addition, owing to the necessarily complicated construction the use of mechanical regulating means easily leads to wrong connections.

When using two shuttles of diierent colors, it is further known to select electrically the bobbin holder or magazine carried by a pivotal lever and containing spare bobbins, and to bring said holder into the exchange position by arranging in a different manner the circuit closing members which act when the bobbinshave run empty. The rotation of the entire holder containing the spares however, is comparatively slow and can only be eiected in slow running looms. In another shuttle exchange device for looms having exchange of shuttle the issue of a new shuttle is eiected by closing an electric circuit from a pattern device in connection with electrical weft detector or feeler shuttles. Since the shuttle selecting device is operated through the pattern device the arrangement is rather complicated and interruptions occur easily particularly since the exchange circuit is usually only closed so long as the empty shuttle is in the shuttle box. However, it is also known to provide electrical locking or stopping devices (relays) in the circuit of the weft detector or feeler in order to keep the circuits closed for a certain period of time in excess of the duration of the time the shuttle remains in the shuttle box, which circuit regulates the exchange ofthe shuttle or bobbin and if required, effects an exchange only after several further shuttle picks.

In order to ascertain when a shuttle has run empty a feeler provided vwith electrical contact pins has been arranged in the shuttle in order to close a circuit dependent on the pattern device and thereby to effect the exchange of shuttle whenthe bobbin has run'empty. A reliable working of this device can hardly be expected as a consequence of the use of a feeler inserted in the shuttle from outsideV since the timel left for closing. the circuit is exceedingly small.

According tothe presen-t invention there is provided an electricweft-selecting device for automatic weft-replenishing looms: employing shutties embodying weft feelers, characterized in that in addition to a contact for closing a wett feeler circuit actuating the replenishring mechanism,

there are furnished on at least some shuttles additional contacts for closing other circuits for selectively controlling the magazine actuating means, and so arranged in relation to the weft feeler circuit that by the exhausted bobbin through a weft feeler, none, one or more of. the selecting circuits are closed, depending upon to which group of the shuttles employed, the shuttle containing the Yexhausted bobbin belongs,

f f whereby on initiation of the bobbin changing op,-

eration there results the positioning under the transfer hammer of a new bobbin of corresponding colorV or character to the exhausted one, circuit closing rails arranged on and moving with f the drop boxes being used which` cooperate with stationary current collectors. One or several regulating kmotors are preferably provided in this construction for driving the bobbin magazines,

the switches of wh-ich are closed by the intermediary of relays arranged in the feeler controlledl circuits when these are closed.

Stop rods or notched bars may also be provided for driving the magazine which stop rods upon closing the feeler circuit or circuits are brought into engagement with knives actuated by one of the loom shafts to bring the magazine into the position' required for the exchange operation.

Two magnets (solenoids), for instance, may be provided for moving the four-part bobbin magazine which magnets, when a bobbin has run empty, are excited as required, in accordance with the color of the shuttle or bobbin and co-act in such a manner that after ,theV driving' members have altered the position of the shuttle or bobbin' holders, four different positions ofl the latterv may be obtained according to whether one or other, both or neither of the two magnets are excited'.

By reason of the fact that in the devi-ce-r according' to the invention the application of mechanical regulating means is extensively avoided, great reliability in the regulation can be obtained since in electrical regulating means the step by step movement of the mechanical means as Well as theA oscillation and strong wear and tear of the regulating means, which cannot be avoided in machines running at high speeds, are eliminated. The insertion of interruptors further gives a greater liberty in the application of the device since there isfar less limitation as regards the movementI of commencing the exchange of bobdiierent constructions of the feeler selectingdevice.

In the form shown in Fig. l the loom has on'` the eeler side a shuttle box I9 having a number z v of compartments. Each compartment is provided with a grounded spring 2t vto engage a contact plate 5 on the shuttle. y provided with a weft feeler which in known manner causes electric connection between it and the contact plate 5 when the weft in the shuttle is substantially exhausted. Further, a contact strip it 'is provided in each compartment for closing the circuit, the said strip being connected to the metal rail 2d, which is mounted on a strip 23 secured to the shuttle box and made of insulating tape. The rail 25 is made in sections insulated from one another, one section for each compartment of the shuttle body, The current collector 25 arranged level with the path of the shuttle to be picked bears resiliently against the metal rail 2li so that only that shuttle can be supplied with current which is level with the path ci the picker and is active, that is to say, is about to be picked across the lay. The magnet 22 (Figs. 2-3-5) on the one hand is connected to the collector 25 and on the other hand to the pole R for the source of current of the weft feeler circuit.

Before the current reaches ground in the direction RT it passes through an interrupter mounted on the loom crank shaft or another shaft rotating in unison with the said crank shaft and having for its object to prevent the closing of the current to the shuttle and the commencement of the exchange of bobbin at an undesired instant. This interrupter, for insta-nce, comprises two current collectors 25 and 2l which bear resiliently against a drum 23 made of insulating material. Said drum carries a strip oi" metal 29 which is suicientiy wide to be in contact with the two current collectors 26 and 21 at the same time and exactly as long as is required to supply the magnet 22 with current. The moment of contact and thus the moment for the commencement of thel exchange of bobbin depends on the position of the metal strip 25 relative to the crank of the crank shaft. The current collector 21 is grounded so that the circuit is closed except the contact in the shuttle and the interrupter. v

If a shuttle in the box i3 on a level with the picker on the feeler side has a bobbin run empty or nearly so, the circuit is closed from the grounded plate 23 through the plate 5, the eeler F, the plate i3 and rail 24, the collector 25, the electromagnet 22, the source of current RT and so back to the ground with the exception of the interrupter and the magnet is excited at the same instant that the interrupter effects the last contact. The movement of the armature in the magnet 2'2 can now be used in known manner to start the exchange of the bobbin or shuttle. In this arrangement, however, certain locking or stopping devices are required for the armature of the magnet since the excitement of the magnet never lasts longer than the time which the Each shuttle is" face 3i).

shuttle stays in the compartment of the shuttle box. At the same moment, when the shuttle leaves the compartment upon commencement or" a pick, the magnet returns to its position of rest.

If the. mechanical stopping or locking devices are to be eliminated and if it is intended to obtain an electrical action lasting longer than the time which the shuttle rests in the compartment, the contact rail 25 is suitably connected to a contact surface 3B (Fig. 3) and a blade spring 3l is provided which is lifted by the armature of the magnet 22, so that the contact 32 provided on said spring, bears against the other Contact sur- The blade spring 3l is mounted on a stationary member 33 and is grounded. If the the circuit at 3i] and the shuttle can now leave the compartment without hindrance and without the return of the armature of the magnet since the contact remains closed through the medium of the blade spring 3| so long as the current can also pass through the interrupter.

By means or the interrupter the magnet 22 can be supplied with current as long as required and further by the raised position of the armature, regulating movements can be obtained and the action can be extended over a longer period of time. In this way, for instance, by means oi' the magnet 22 (Fig. 4) the motor M (Fig. 4) can be switched on, which motor may be a threephase current motor and may be fed from a source of current RST. In this arrangement the phases T and S only pass over the contact surfaces 35 and 35 against which bear the springs 36 and 31 when the armature of the magnet 22 is raised. The springs 3S and 31 are secured at 38 and 33 respectively and from there are connected to the motor. When the magnet is excited the armature is lifted and closes the contact at 3U and at the same time the contacts at 34 and 35 since its movement is at the same time transmitted to the springs 36 and 31 through the medium of the insulated members 40 and Iii. The motor M is now fed with current as long as the interrupter is closed. When the metal strip 2S provided on the insulated drum 28 leavesy the collectors 26 and 21, the magnet instantaneously falls back to its initial position and at the same time the springs 36 and 31 leave the contacts 3d and 35 and the motor is switched off.

If the duration of the effect of the magnet 22 is intended to be rendered independent of the interrupter UI (Fig. 5) mounted on the crank shaft, a second interrupter U2, for instance, may be provided on the circuit closing shaft or on the shaft of the motor which eiects the exchange of bobbin and connection may be arranged as shown in Fig. 5. In this arrangement the interrupter Ul determines the moment and the commencement of the excitation whilst U2 on the other hand determines the duration thereof.

Instead of the single source of current RT, two sources Rl, TI and R2 (Fig. 6) having two windings N i and N2 may be provided for the magnet 22 and two interrupters UI and U2, whereby, for instance, the current R2, T2 may be of higher tension than the current Rl Tl so that it is possible to obtain stronger effects with vthe current R2, T2 than with Rl, TI. Similarly to the rstmentioned arrangements, stopping or locking devices are provided for the magnet which comprise the contact surfaces 3i] and 33, the blade spring 3l as well as magnet 4 I. Obviously in the arrangement shown in Fig. 6, a motor can be switched on as described with reference to or other means were inserted in the shuttle for the purpose of closing the contact, that no important distance has to be covered in order to close the contact. The time saved in this Way increases the'security of the selecting since magnets respond ally the better, the longer they are energized. As well known in multiple boxlooms or check looms the interval between the finish of the exchange of the bobbin or shuttle andthecommencement of the pick is exceedingly short. In the devices heretofore used it was necessary to wait till the exchange of the bobbin or shuttle was completed, and only then was it possible to commencev with the insertion of the needles into the shuttle while in the feeler device according to the present invention` the contact can be effected shortly after the current collector bears against the contact rail 24 corresponding to the respective shuttle box compartment, even though the shuttle box may not yet have completed the exchange operation. In addition, they contact lasts till the commencement of the pick VWhile in the devices heretofore known the feeler needles had previously to be removed from the shuttle.

A similar arrangement to that which starts the exchange of bobbin or shuttle, is now also appliedv for selecting the colors in magazines containing a number of colors. Figs. 7 and 8 show a form of two-color magazine. The shuttles employed according to the color of the bobbin carried, belong to one of two groups A, and B, which correspond to the two bobbin holders A1 and B1 of the'bobbin magazine 42. The magazine, vfor instance, maybe constructed as a rotary bobbin holder and may beturnablyr mounted on a spindle 43.

The shuttles of group A differ in no way fromr these described hereinabove. On theil other hand the shuttles of group B in addition to the metal strip 5 carry laterally a metal strip 44 bearing against a spring (Fig. 7) when the shuttle is situated in the shuttle box and which spring is in contact with the feeler device F. The spring 45 is mounted at the shuttle box but is insulated from said shuttle box and the strip I8. Whilst as already described a connection exists between the strip i8, the contact rails 24 of the sliding rail 23, the current collector 25, the magnety 22' and the pole R of the source of current, a second connection is made between 45, the respective contact rail 41 of a second sliding rail 46 in the current collector 48, a second magnet 49 and the pole R of the source of the current. The contact rail 41 is like the rail 24 made in sections.

If a shuttle of the shuttle group B, is situated in the respective shuttle box and its bobbin has run completely empty, twoV magnets 22 and 49 are fed with current by the contact-effecting feeler device F. Both magnets have a stop or locking device, shown in Fig. 3, comprising at 22 the contact surface 39, the spring 3l and the contact surface 33, and in the magnet 49 (Fig. 7)` the contact surface 50, the spring 5l" and the contact surface 52. While when the armature is raised; the magnet 22 starts the :exchange of bobbin in one of the manners hereinbefore described, the magnet 49 closes the contacts 53 and 56 by means of the two springs 54 and 51 so that the current from the source RST is fed over the contact sur-- faces 55 and 58 to the motor M (Fig. lf)y and causes the latter to rotate'.

Cil

AThe motor Mv drives the bobbin holder 42 by means of a pinion or driver v6-0 gearing with the toothed wheel 59 (Fig. 8) so that the bobbin.

group BI is brought beneath the hammer or transferrer 6W. K stop 6l, which bears against a stationary screw 62 prevents the bobbin holder froml turning further than desired and at the samevtime securesk its exact position. When the bobbin has been exchanged after the action of the hammer,VY theinterrupter UA may interrupt the current of the source RT whereafter the armaturesof both magnets are released and the motor Mis stopped. The spring 63 then pulls the bobbin holder back to its original position, whereby the extension 5i abuts against a stationary screw 64.

If, on the other hand, a shuttle of group Al isl situated in the shuttle box, the bobbin of which is tovbev exchanged, the magnet 22Y alone is excited, the motor M' remains at rest andthe bobbin magazine remains at rest; so that uponV moving the hammer (il)A` a bobbin of group AI is. forced into the shuttle.

Obviously, the same effect can be obtained' with two circuits or two interrupters as described with reference to4 Figs. 5 and 6.

For the purpose of moving the rotary bobbin magazine 42` of Fig.. 8 it is not absolutely necessary to use a motor; a solenoid can. be employed just as well, acting either immediately on' the bobbin holder or for instance,v causing aV vstop rod: or notched bar to turn, which then caught byra. vertically oscillating 4knife to alter the position of the magazine, as shown in Fig. 9. In this view B5 represents the circuit-closing spindle orv another spindle caused tonturn' when the exchange of bobbin4 or shuttle takes place. Said spindle carries. a cam 66 which` operates the lever arm 6,8 pivotally mounted on axle 61. Roller 69 mounted on the lever arm 68 bears. against the cam 66 under the action of the spring 19. A connecting rod 12 is pivotally vconnected to the lever` arm 68 by means of the pin 1I, which connecting rod carries a knife 14 moving in the slot 13. They rotary bobbin holder 42 has an arm 15. At rest said holden through the action of a spring 16 is pulled with an extension 11 against a stop 1-8; A stop bar 80-is pivotally mounted on the pin 19 of the arm. 15, which stop bar through the action of a spring 8| is pulled against a stop 82 in such a manner that in this position the knife 14 can pass in front of the hook of thestop bar.

Upon each bobbin exchange the spindle is caused to rotate. So long as bobbins of group-'A1 are`lexchanged the bobbin holder 42v remains at rest. If on the other hand, shuttle corresponding to g-roupA Bi is situated in the shuttle box on the sideV of thefeeler, upon rotation of the spindle 95` the magnet` 49- is excited at they same time and pushes thev stop bar against the knife 14v wherebythe wire is caught by the descending knife 14 and the bobbin holder is rotated until a bobbin of group B1 is brought beneath the hammer.

Inv four color magazines, for instance, four different groups of shuttles may be used which differ from each other by four different contact strips- 83, 84, 85, 86 (Fig. 10) and which are electrically connected to the feeler device F.

Thefcontact strips {i3-8.6 come within reach of the blade springs 81, 88, 89, 99 which are provided on each compartment of the shuttle box and insulated" therefrom and connected to corresponding contact rails and sliding rails made of insulating material 9|, 92, 93, 94. By means ofourrent collectors, not shown, upon closing the circuit, current is fed through the feeler device F to one Aof the four magnets 95, 95, 91, 98, which act on traps 99 of the vertical bobbin holder |00 and open one of said traps in known manner so that one bobbin of the bobbin groups AI, Bl, CI, DI corresponding to the respective shuttle falls beneath the hammer 60 and is thereby forced into the shuttle. The exchange of bobbin is startedvin known manner by the feeler device F, theA sliding rail 24 and the magnet 22, not shown.

Fig. 11 shows an arrangement of a four color magazine which employs rotary holders driven by motors. In this arrangement the pinionor driver I| of the motor MI meshes witha toothed segment |03 mounted on the outer bobbin holder |04 whilst the inner bobbin holder |04 is driven by the pinion of the motor M2 meshing with the toothed segment |06. Both rotary holders |02 and |04 are rotatably mounted on a spindle inn known manner. The bobbin holder |02 holds the bobbins of groups AI, BI and the bobbin holder |04 those of group CI, DI. The position of rest of the bobbin holders is ensured by two spring catches |01 and |08 which engage in corresponding plates |09 and ||0. Thespring catch |01 and the plate |09 ensure the position of the outer rotary holder |02 whilst the inner bobbin holder |04 is held by the gearing catches |08 and the plate ||0.

The shuttles of groups A, B, C, D (below) have certain characteristics inasmuch as the shuttles of group A have no lateral contact strips whatsoever, the shuttles of group B have a contact strip I I above the middle of the shuttle, the shuttles of group C have a contact strip below the middle of the shuttle and the shuttles of group D have a contact strip l I3 of double width. Two in-v sulated blade springs I4, l 5 are provided on the shuttle box, one of which, I 4, touches the contact strips situated above the middle of the shuttle whilst the other, I5, comes into contact with the contact strips below the middle of the shuttle. The contact strips I I, ||2, ||3 are connected to the feeler device F. For the sake of clearness the shuttles themselves are shown in the drawings as being pulled out to the right. The springs ||4, ||5 are in contact with corresponding contact pieces provided on the sliding rails IIB, |I1, whilst the contact pieces of the sliding rail 23 are in contact with the feeler device F by means of the strip I8 described hereinabove and not shown in Fig. 11. From the sliding rail 23 the current passes to the magnet, Vnot shown, which starts the exchange of bobbin, the source of cur.-

rent, R, T, the interrupter UI land finally to ground. The connections by which current is fed to the sliding rails I I6, ||1, iirst pass through the switch W, then likewise the source of current R, T, the interrupter and iinally to ground.

Upon each exchange of bobbin the motors MI and M2 are fed with current in such a manner that always one of them turns to the right or left according to which bobbin group is required by the shuttle. The selection of the motors and their direction of rotation isi determined by the switch W which is controlled by the Shuttles. Between two phases of the source of current RST a two-pole interrupter U2 is inserted which has for its object to prevent the motors being brought into action before the switch W is in its proper position and to throw the motors MI and M2 respectively out of gear independent-lyv of the interruptor Ul.

When one of the motors is started, the bobbin holder rotates until it strikes, with its corresponding extension ||8 or ||9, against one of the stationary stops |20 or |2I. Simultaneously one of the Ysprings |22, |23, or |25 secured to the arm |21and supported by stationary bolts |28 and`r|29 is tensioned. ,For the sake of clearness only one of the arms II8, IIS, and |21 as well as the springs |23,and |25 are shown. When the exchange of bobbin is completed and the motors-,Ml and M2 arerespectively switched off, the.V spring which is under tension pulls the magazine back to its position of rest where it is securedl by spring catches |01 and |08 respectively.

. Two constructional forms are selected for the working of the switch W. In one of these constructions the motor is controlled by two magnetically energized switches whilst in the other construction the motor is controlled by two magnets combined with a lever or throw-in switch. In Fig. 12V Mi and M2 represent said motorsv which are connected to the contact surfaces |30, |3,|, |32 and |33. The phase S of the source of current RST is connected to the contact surface |34 vand the phase T to the two contact surfaces |35 and |36. From the sliding rail IIB current is fedl to the magnet |31 provided with the known stopping or locking device comprising the Contact surface |38 and the spring |39 and from said magnet |31 the current is then fed to the source RT. The sliding rail Ill is connected to the magnet |40 having the locking or stopping device comprising the contact surface I4I andthe spring |42 and from thereA the current is likewise fed to the source. The springs |39 and |42 are grounded. Insulating pieces |43 connect the spring |39 to the springs |44 and |45 as well as the spring |42 to the springs |45 and |41 in such manner that the three springs thus connected make the same movements. The springs |45 and |41 and the springsr |44 and |45 are electrically connected.

In the position of rest of the magnets |31, |40 the spring |45 bears against the contact surface E34, the spring |44 against the contact surface |35, the spring |41 against the contact surface |31 and the spring |46 against the contact surface |33. In this position current is fed to the motor M2 in such a manner that the motor rotates, for instance, in the direction I. If the armature of the magnet |40 is now lifted, the spring |43 reaches the contact surface |32 and the spring |41 the` contact surface |30, whereby, when the current is switched on, the motor MI is caused to rotate in the direction I. If the armature of the magnet |31 is raised whilst the magnet |40 is at rest, the spring |44 reaches the contact surface |34 and the spring |45 the contact surface |35. In this way the phases S and T are exchanged and the motor MI rotates in the direction II. If iinally, both magnets |31 and 4|40 are excited, all springs bear against the upper contact surfaces and the motor MI rotates inthedirection II. l

In'the constructional forms shown in Figs. 13 and'lil, the armatures of the two magnets |31 and |40 are pivotally connected at |49 and |50 toa lever |48. The magnets |31 and |40 have known stop or locking devices comprising the contact surfacesISS, |4| and the springs |39, |42 and are connected to the sliding rails I|6 and I1 and have a common connection to the source j of current RT (Fig. 13). The lever |43 has the contact surfaces and |52 connected tothe source of current RST. On `a plate |53 made of insulating material, are respectively arranged the contact surfaces |54 a, b, c, d and |55a, b, c, d whichV are connected to the motors MI and M2 as shown in Fig. 13. Y

In the position of rest of two magnets v|31 and |40 the lever |48 is in the position a andrupon switching on the source of current RST the motor M2 is fed with current in such a manner that it turns, for instance in the direction I. If the armature of the magnet |31 is raised, whilst that of the magnet |40 remains at rest, the lever |40 takes up the position b and upon switching on the source of current RST the motor M2 is fed with current in such a manner that it rotates in the direction II, since the contact surfaces |541) and |5517, against which bear the contact surfaces of the lever |5| and |52, exchange the phases of the motor. If the armature of the magnet |40 is raised whilst that of the magnet |31 is at rest, the lever |48 takes up the position c and upon switching on the source of current RST the motor MI rotates in the direction I. If, finally, the armatures of both magnets |31 and |40 are lifted the lever |48 takes up the position d and upon switching on the source of current RST the motor Ml rotates in the direction IE since the contact surfaces |54d and |55@ change over the phases of current relative to the contact surfaces |540 and |550.

The same total effect of both magnets, however, can be obtained by switches as shown in Fig. 15. On the circuit closing spindle 65 or on another shaft caused to rotate, when the exchange of bobbin takes place is provided a cam 66 against which bears the roller 69 of the lever arm 68 pivotally mounted on the stationary pin 61 and subjected to the action of the spring 10. Two connecting rods |56 and |51, which are pivotally connected to the lever arm 68 at |58 and |50, move two knives 62 and |63 guided in the slots |60 and |6|. A toothed stop bar |64, which gears with a toothed rod |65 engaging small toothed wheel |66 carried by a stationary pin, is arranged between the knives |62 and |63 in such a manner that it may alternately engage with the knives |62 and |63, as required, whereby the said knives engage in recesses |61 and |68 of the toothed stop bar. 'Ihe toothed stop bar |64 is guided by a member |69 and its bottom end is forced to thel left by means of the spring |10 so that, in the position of rest, the recess |61 embraces the knife |62. The member is, for instance, electrically connected to the armature of the magnet |31. The small toothed wheel |66 gears with a second small toothed wheel |1 which is turnably mounted on a stationary pin and engages in a toothed rod |31 of the toothed stop bar |12 which is similar to the toothed stcp bar |64. This stop bar |12 has recesses |14 and |15 which engage with the knives |18 and |19 guided in the slots |16 and |11 respectively. The knife |18 is pivotally connected to the pin |8| by means of the connecting rod |80 mounted on the arm |02 of the inner bobbin holder |04. A similar rod |85 connects the knife |19 to the pin |84 mounted on the arm |85 of the outer rotary bobbin holder |02. The lower end of the toothed stop bar |12 is guided by members |83 which is forced to the right hand side by means of a spring |84 and electrically connected to the armature of the magnet |40 in such a manner that, when the magnet is at rest, the recesses |14 of the stop bar |12 embrace the knife |18. The bobbin holders are made in two parts and contain bobbins of the groups AI, Bl, CI, and DI, which, as the case maybe, are pushed in theshuttles A, B, C, D. These shuttles have the same characteristics as'thoseishown in Fig. 11. Upon every exchangeY of bobbin ythe circuit closing -shaft 65 is caused to rotate. According to whether none or both or one or the other of the two magnets |31 and |40 isor` are excited the toothed stop bar |64 either engages with the knife |62 or the knife |163 and the toothed stop bar' |12 .engages either with the knife |18 or |19. Upon moving the lever arm 6,8 by means of the cam 66 either the inner or the outer bobbin holder is displaced in a different direction so that the bobbin group required for the time being is brought beneath the hammer 60 and may be pushed in the shuttle.

Having now described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An electric weft-selecting mechanism for an automatic multicolor bobbin changing loom employing a plurality of active weft bobbins of differing weft-characteristics and a plurality of shuttles embodying weft feelers and each shuttle carrying a bobbin of weft-characteristic differing from those of the other shuttles, comprising a rotatable magazine provided with separate compartments, one for each group of bobbins of like weft-characteristics, magazine positioning means including electric magazine driving and stop means arranged to selectively position the magazine in any one of a plurality of predetermined positions wherein a bobbin of selected weft-characteristics may be transferred from the magazine to an active exhausted shuttle thereunder, electric circuit means electrically connected with the magazine driving means and including said weft feelers, shuttle-carried contract means differently positioned on the several shuttles, shuttle-box carried contact means arranged and positioned for cooperation with the shuttle-carried contact means, a source of electric energy and a loom driven circuit timing means, said several means being so constructed and arranged that consequent upon closure by a feeler of a circuit including certain of said shuttle and shuttle box contacts, the timer and magazine driving means, the magazine is positioned with a bobbin of proper weft characteristic positioned above the exhausted shuttle ready for transfer to the latter.

2. An electric weft-selecting device for automatic weft-replenishing looms employing shuttles embodying weft feelers, transfer hammer, drop boxes and a bobbin in each shuttle, comprising a weft feeler, circuit and other circuits for actuating the replenishing mechanism, magazine actuating means, a contact for closing said weft feeler circuit, additional contacts on at least some shuttles for closing other circuits for selectively controlling the magazine actuating means, said additional contacts being so arranged to the weft feeler circuit that, by the exhausted bobbin through a weft feeler, none of the selecting circuits is closed, during normal operation of said device and one of which circuits is closed for replenishing action depending upon to which group of the shuttles employed the shuttle containing the exhausted bobbin belongs, whereby on initiation of the bobbin-changing operation there results the positioning under said transfer hammer of a new bobbin of corresponding color or character to the exhausted one, circuit closing rails arranged on and moving with said drop boxes being used,

nising with said crank shaft of the Weit-replenish ing loom, said feelers and said nterrupter for closing the selecting circuit energizable by the shuttles, and a holding device for maintaining said interrupter closed independent of the opening of the feelers and of said crank shaft until said interrupter set in motion by initiation of the replenishing operation breaks the circuit of said holding device.

KURT SCHWABE. 

